Music Ministry
Music enlivens our community prayer. When we lift our hearts and voices in song at mass or in other liturgical celebrations we express our belief that we are not just individulas alone, but a community united in woship.
“There is a vital interest today in the Mass as prayer. When all strive with one accord to make the Mass a prayer, a sharing and celebration of Faith, the result is unity. Styles of music, choices of instruments, forms of celebration, all converge in a single purpose: that men and women of faith may proclaim and share that faith in prayer and Christ may grow among us all.”
…from Music in Catholic Worship; Bishops Committee on the Liturgy.
A WORD FROM OUR NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR…
My name is Patrick Henry Abraham. Just call me Pat. “It’s so nice to be with you” as the song goes. My wife, Lois, and I have recently relocated to North Andover to be closer to our family. After taking an early retirement from the Archdiocese of Detroit, I still wanted to continue to make music in the service of our Lord. I attended Mass here many times in my search for the ‘perfect parish’ ..I found it! I am honored to be part of the parish family of St. John The Baptist.
Your beautiful church, pipe organ and choir loft brings back memories of my first experience as an organist. I was in the seventh grade at St. John the Evangelist parish school. Our organist was to be in the May crowning procession and asked ME to play the organ in her place. I was terrified. I had never seen an organ before and my legs weren’t long enough to reach the pedal board. But I learned my hymns and did OK, so they told me. I was so fascinated by the wonderful sound of the pipe organ; I knew right there and then I would be a church organist.
So… it was off to high school, Organ school, Church music school, Hand bell school, Band school and finally my first position as organist for St. Rita parish in Detroit, then to Wayne State University for…..more school. I bring my years of experience to share with you.
The instructions of the Catholic Bishops Commission on liturgy encourage “full and active participation’ of the faithful at Mass. Music is so much a part of the Liturgy of the Catholic Church. From early music to Gregorian chant to music in the vernacular to contemporary settings, worship at Mass continues to be a work in progress.
My ministry has evolved too. From being the solo organist at 6:00am Mass (yawn) to the position of “Director of Music Ministry ” charged with the awesome responsibility of enabling congregations to actively and fully participate in the sung parts of the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
I ask you to join me in this important work. I know there is talent and good will here. I have seen it. The door is open to all. Adult choirs, children’s choirs, hand bell choirs, contemporary ensembles, cantors, guitarists, brass and woodwind players have always been part of my music programs in every parish I have served. And what would we do without our priests, deacons and religious to set the tone?
So stop in or up and introduce yourself. I look forward to meeting you.
Look for more in my future columns in your parish bulletin: “Pat’s In the Belfry.”
HYMN
Christ comes, the promised peace of God,
His hands with healing filled,
In him is brokenness made whole
And love from hate distilled.
And when he comes, for whom we long,
Then will all rage be stilled.
Christ comes, the promised hand of God,
To cast the veil aside
That shrouds the world in bitter grief,
Where none from death can hide.
And when he comes, for whom we long,
Then will all tears be dried.
Christ comes, the promise kept by God,
The faithful One, and true.
In him is ev’ry hope confirmed
And ev’ry fear subdued.
And when he comes, for whom we long,
Then all will be made new.
… Genevieve Glen, OSB, Benedictine Nuns, Abbey of St. Walburga
Virginia Dale, CO. Published by OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Prtland, OR 97213.
All rights reserved.
“Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing.”
–Quaker Hymn
Youth Choir - We welcome any youth in Grade three and up. This choir rehearses Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center and sings weekly at the 10:00 a.m. Liturgy. The new Youth Choir Director, Shannon Conway, can be reached at (978) 531-3166 or via email at smileyshan1387@hotmail.com
Youth Band - Young people of middle school or high school age or older are invited to join this group which plays and sings at the 5 p.m. Youth Mass each Sunday dueing the school year. Anyone who sings or plays a musical instrument can join us any Sunday at 4 p.m.
Adult Choir—This choir is for anyone of high school age and up. Rehearsal is each Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the Parish Center, and the choir sings weekly at the Saturday 4:00 p.m. Liturgy. The Adult Choir is led by our Director of Music, and Organist, Alan Carrick, who can be reached at (978) 826-7523.
Cantor Program—Cantors are usually taken from members of our present music ministry program. However, auditions will be done for anyone interested in this ministry. Rehearsal is required the week before you are scheduled to cantor.
Vespers - During the Sundays of Advent and Lent, the parish will celebrate “Vespers” (Evening Prayer) in the upper church at 7 p.m. This ancient style of prayer may be a great benefit for you in preparing for Christmas and for Easter. The service lasts approximately thirty minutes. There are scripture readings, a short talk by members of the parish, and music by our Associate Music Director, Cynthia Arsenault. All are invited and encouraged to join us.
